crocker



DZ-Qb (No Model.)

SOLE.

IIa-485,459., Patented Nov. l, 1892.

marginal grooves GEORGE H. OROOKER,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF CAMPELLO, ASSlGNOR- OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGE c. HALL, 0F GREENEIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

SOLE.

srncmcacriozi To all whom it may concer-n:

Be it'knownthat I, GEORGE H. CROGKER, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Gampello, iu the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Sole, of which the following is a specification. Y A

This invent-ion relates to new and useful improvements in boots or shoes, and has special reference to the formation of the exterior surface of the sole thereof for sporting as well as general purposes; and it consists ofthe construction and arrangement of the parts thereof, as will be more fully hereinafter describedv and claimed.

The object of this invention is to provide a boot or shoe having a sole with grooves across the same to form angular engaging, edges which take into the surface of the ground or other yielding surface and thereby increase the frictional contact and obviating and dis pensing with the use of spikes or rubber coverings, which'are for many purposes objectionable and dangerous, and adapting the boot or shoe provided with the form of sole set forth for sporting as well as general use, andhaving cate the attaching means beyond the contact ing surface of the ribs.

1n the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved shoe, looking toward the bottom thereof. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a shoe, showing the ribs arranged diagonally. Figs. 3 ande are plan views looking toward the exterior surfaces of the soles and showing a different arrangement of the grooves, the latter being extended farther back and indicating that a shoe or boot provided with the improved sole may be used wit-hout a heel. Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section of the sole as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a transverse verticalsection of the sole on the line was, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modification.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the sole made in accordance with my invention and providedwith a series of rooves 2, extending across the sole and forming ribs 3, with angular engaging edges 4, said following out the sole to loforming part of Letters Patent No. 485,459, dated November 1, 1892. Application filed July 7, 1892. Serial No. 439,305.. (1K0 model.)

formed at right angles, or approximately so. The grooves 2 may be arranged in lines extending straight across the sole, or diagonally thereof, as shown by Fig. 2, or, as shown by Fig. 43, said grooves may be made in curved lines; but in each instance the angular contacting edges of the ribs is preserved. These grooves are formed on the exterior surface of the outsole and have a twofold function, in that they make ribs being preferably the s ole flexible and also provide the contacting edges on the ribs, as set forth, to increase the friction ofthe sole ou the surface on which it may bear,and thereby provide a boot or shoe whichis especiallyapplicablefor sportingpurposes and avoiding the employment of the heating rubber sole, which is exceptionally unhealthy and uncomfortable, and also obviating the use of spurs or spikes with the accompanying danger in the use of the same. The said grooves may extend over the length of the sole at varying distances, which will be governed and regulated by the use or disuso of a heel. The groove construction set forth necessarily renders the sole lighter and provides for the employment of a sole of increased thickness and consequent increased wearing durability. A channel or groove 5 follows the outline of the sole adjacent to the edge thereof and is cut into the ribs 3 of suicient depth to locate the securing-stitches 6 beyond the wearing-surface of the soletov thereby protect the same and prevent contact thereof with the surface upon which the sole may rest, and where said groove extends through the ribs 3 the depth thereof is not quite as great as the depth of the grooves 2, in order to strengthen the outer portion or end of each rib and provide' for having an integral construction thereof with the main body of each rib. This channel or groove also provides for contacting edges to obviate lateral movement or sliding of the sole of the 'shoe by the angle edges presented at the end of each'of the ribs. The grooves are preferably formed by cutting, in view-of the fact that an angular edge is desired, and is more readily formed in this manner than by rolling, pressing, or otherwise. It will be understood that the use of the de vice isnot limited in any respect and that it may be employed for any purpose found de- IOO.

slrable and practicable. It will be also ohservcd that each rib prcnts two angular contacting surfaces at the frontand rear thereof to prevent either forward or backward slipping, and if the shoe be u sed on wel: or muddy; surfaces what material it may gather in the grooves may bo readily forced outward by the movement of the foot, which will expand and contract the grooves, ss will be readily understood. It will be obviously apparent that the depth of the several grooves maybe made proportionate tothe sise of the shoe and thickness of the sole and adapt the improvement for use in connection with either ladies or men's shoes.

At the toe pprtion of the sole, in addition to the ribs set forth, a recess 6 is ada ted to be formed, which provides an ad itional contacting surface, as fully shown in Fig. 6, and this' form of the sole is especially applicable for shoes employed by sprinters, w ere the toe movement is almost universally cmployed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. As an improved article of manufacture, a solo for a. boot or shoe having grooves cxtending across the same to form ribs, with a front and rear contacting angular edge and s channel or groove following the outline of the4 sole to locato the attaching means beyond the contacting surface of the ribs, said ribs extending from the toe to the breast of the heel and presenting unyielding contacting surfaces, substantially as describcd. 35

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a sole for a boot or shoe having a series of grooves across the name to form ribs, with anguiar contacting edges at the front and rear of the same, and s. groove or channel follow- 4o ing out the outline of 'the sole adjacent thereto and of less depth than the said grooves which form the ribs, whereby the stitches are preserved from contact with wearing-surfaces and the o posits end portions ot the ribs are 45 reinfo substantially as described.

3. As an improved article of manufacture, s sole for boots or shoes having s series of grooves extendingaeross thesame to form ribs, with angular contacting ertgeagand a recess 5e at the toe portion thereof, having s front curved wall to form an sdditionalcontactlng ed e, substantially as described.

n testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I .have hereto aiixed my signature in 55 the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE Il. CROCKER. Witnesses:

Fmi: J. Dnxmwoon, Jeux D. Boulay. 

